Refined Lexus lives up to bold claims from Japanese luxury car makers

THE gorgeous convertible is designed to allow drivers to enjoy a smooth journey without wind turbulence or noise.

IT is, of course, stating the obvious to say that convertibles are designed to allow their owners to enjoy wind-in-their-hair, open-top motoring.

But the last thing that you really want is a drop-top in which you have to suffer the equivalent of a tornado at anything more than 30mph, leaving you looking like Ken Dodd on a bad day.

Fortunately, Japanese luxury car makers Lexus designed their IS 250C for “aerodynamic efficiency with roof up, and minimal noise and wind turbulence for occupants with the roof down”.

And while that might sound like a bold claim, it’s certainly one the car lives up to.

In fact, it’s probably the most draught-free open-top car I have ever driven.

No matter what speed you travel at, you can emerge as immaculate as when you started your journey.

In practice, it means you can have the roof down when the outside temperature is so low most convertible drivers would fast be turning blue.

This car provides open-top motoring as it should be. Relaxed, turbulence-free and in a cabin where you are still able to have a conversation without raising your voice.

The roof is a work of art. It can be opened or closed in just 21 seconds – the world’s fastest deploying three-part metal folding roof – and uses 15 motors and 37 sensors.

The Lexus has a cavernous boot when the roof is in place, but most of it is swallowed up by the metal panels when the top is lowered, with only room for soft bags.

It is a plush, full-leather upholstery four-seater with good front leg room and reasonable space in the rear.

True to their reputation for detail, Lexus have revised all the instrumentation to ensure gauges and meters can be clearly read when the roof is down. LED contrast has been increased and the quality of the glass has been changed to reduce light reflection.

Even the climate control has been reconfigured, so airflow is automatically increased when the roof is lowered.

This car is packed with modern features that make it easy to live with.

These include keyless entry, push-button starting without having to handle the ignition key, and easy entry and exit, thanks to the steering wheel, which automatically raises when the engine is switched off and lowers back when it is started.

On the road, the 2.5-litre V6 mated to a six-speed, automatic gearbox ensures refined, silent motoring with plenty of punch when needed.

This is not a sports car but a very comfortable four-seater convertible that offers Lexus luxury at its finest.

It’s the sort of vehicle that would be just as much at home on the coastal roads of the millionaire’s playground of Monte Carlo as on the city streets of Scotland.

And in its price bracket, convertibles don’t come much more sophisticated.